Chance of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes in Texas Panhandle

Thunderstorms brought much-needed rain and created a few trouble spots Tuesday morning across the Texas Panhandle, the National Weather Service in Amarillo said.

Light rain is expected to hang around Amarillo until mid- to late morning, meteorologist B.J. Simpson said. Most parts of the city had received from a quarter- to a half-inch of rain by 10 a.m., he said. Rainfall was heavier in Canyon, where 1.03 inches was recorded by 10 a.m., Simpson said.

“It’s a nice, soaking rain,” he said.

The rain caused some localized flooding, most notably on Osage Street south of Interstate 40. Traffic was restricted to one lane in each direction, the weather service said.

Strong winds blew over a couple of tractor-trailers on Interstate 27 south of Canyon, Simpson said.

There is a 30 to 40 percent chance storms could redevelop Tuesday afternoon, Simpson said. There is also a chance of severe thunderstorms in the evening hours through Friday and residents should be prepared for the possibility of tornadoes, he said.

“When we get toward the end of the week any thunderstorms will be severe,” Simpson said.

He stressed the importance of preparing for a weather disaster.

“You don’t have to look any farther than Moore (Okla.) to see how important it is to have a disaster plan,” Simpson said.